Are There Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Iowa?

Although fully free online master's degrees are not available, students seeking an affordable degree path can significantly reduce costs through various financial aid options. Federal and state aid, scholarships from higher education institutions, and other funding sources can cover a portion of tuition costs for eligible students. However, it is important to note that additional costs beyond tuition may apply.

For many students, a bachelor's degree is all they need for their career field. Others decide to pursue master's degrees � whether that's because it's necessary for their goals or to help them stand out in a flooded job market.

Often, busy students, especially working professionals, prefer the convenience of learning online rather than on campus. Online degrees can also have lower tuition rates and may save you money as you don't need to commute or live near campus.

Although they can be less expensive, most students can't pay for them out of pocket. While tuition-free online master's degrees would be ideal, these are few and far between. However, with the right financial aid, you could lower your costs and avoid student loans. Keep reading to discover affordable and free master's degrees online in Iowa.

Can I Get a Master's Degree Online for Free in Iowa?

There are no tuition-free online colleges in Iowa. In fact, the only school in the U.S. with inherently tuition-free online master's degree programs is the University of the People.

UoPeople, a nonprofit online school in Pasadena, CA, does not charge a tuition rate. It does, however, charge an assessment fee of between $350 and $400 per online course at the graduate level. While this makes the degree highly affordable, it still isn't completely free.

Students in Iowa can lower their tuition rates through financial aid. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what they qualify for. There are several accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA in Iowa.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

Earning an advanced degree doesn't have to put you into debt. Several strategies can make your online degree more affordable, including:

• Choose a low-cost program: Tuition can vary significantly between different schools and different majors, so choose a school that offers your graduate degree at a low tuition rate.
• Fill out the FAFSA: The FAFSA determines what federal aid you qualify for, and is often required for need-based state and institutional aid.
• Pursue institutional aid: Colleges and universities often offer scholarships, grants, and assistantship opportunities to help graduate students pay for their degrees.
• Look for private financial aid: Many private organizations offer scholarships to students. Use a scholarship search tool, like the one on the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop site, to find options.
• Take advantage of military benefits: If you're a service member, you may qualify to have some or all of your tuition covered.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

Although Iowa may not have free master's degrees online, one of the best ways to keep your costs low is to start by looking at the most affordable online master's degrees. We've highlighted some low-cost options in Iowa below.

1. Buena Vista University

Buena Vista University is a private Christian university in Storm Lake, IA. It offers several online master's degrees in areas like counseling, educational administration, organizational leadership, and special education.

Online master's degrees at BVU start at $310 per credit hour for the Master of Education (MEd) degrees in curriculum and instruction and special education. All other master's degrees are $495 per credit hour.

• Average in-state tuition: $402.50 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $402.50 per credit
• Financial aid: BVU accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Clarke University

At Clarke University, students can choose from two online graduate degrees. These include a Master of Arts (MA) in education and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

This private Catholic institution is located in Dubuque, IA. It charges $325 per credit for the MA in education and $575 per credit for the MBA program.

• Average in-state tuition: $450 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $450 per credit
• Financial aid: Clarke offers institutional aid, like scholarships. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Morningside University

Morningside University offers a dozen master's degrees through online learning. The private Christian school is located in Sioux City, IA.

Online degrees are available in areas like business administration, education, nursing, and teacher leadership. Master's degrees here start at $348 per credit and go up to $660 per credit, depending on the major or area of study.

• Average in-state tuition: $493.75 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $493.75 per credit
• Financial aid: Morningside offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. Upper Iowa University

Six online master's degrees are available at Upper Iowa University. Areas of study include counseling, healthcare administration, psychology, and public administration.

UIU, located in Fayette, IA, is a private institution. Tuition varies by program, with MEd degrees costing $355 per credit and the rate going up to $655 per credit for the online MBA program.

• Average in-state tuition: $493.75 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $493.75 per credit
• Financial aid: UIU accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

5. Grand View University

Grand View University is a private Christian liberal arts school in Des Moines, IA. It offers master's degrees to online learners in fields like business analytics, education, organizational leadership, and social sciences.

Tuition varies by program. The least expensive options are the MEd programs, which are $395 per credit, but the cost goes up to $615 for the Master of Science (MS) in analytics.

• Average in-state tuition: $555 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $555 per credit
• Financial aid: Grand View accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

Find an Affordable Online Master's Degree

Find your perfect online master's degree by exploring the affordable, accredited universities featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.